VfB Stuttgart vs Everton

Stuttgart made a statement in front of their home fans at the MHP Arena, brushing aside a flat Everton side 3-1 in pre-season action. The Bundesliga club controlled possession from the first whistle, while the Premier League visitors struggled to string together meaningful chances despite some early half-chances of their own. Nikolas Nartey opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a slick cut inside before finishing into the roof of the net. Ramon Hendriks doubled the lead early in the second half, heading home from a corner. Barry pulled one back for Everton from the penalty spot after a contentious call against the Stuttgart goalkeeper, but Badredine Bouanani restored the two-goal cushion in the 87th minute, finishing off a cross from Leonidas Stergiou. Stuttgart also had to manage an early injury blow, with Dan-Axel Zagadou forced off with a leg problem. For Stuttgart, this was exactly the kind of confidence-building result they wanted against Premier League opposition ahead of the new season. Everton, meanwhile, will be far less pleased, with wasteful finishing and a lack of sharpness raising questions just weeks before their campaign gets underway.